What the original post on FB was saying though was more about how they were finding the ZOIA difficult to use because they did not understand how everything fits together - how the different modules can be used in conjunction with each other. This is even with tutorial videos on YouTube.
In my opinion, when you are at that stage of using synthesizers and related machines, you need to go deeper into individual modules. This is actually a step in the direction opposite from complicated. The whole psychology of avoiding this process is interesting as I think, as I write this, that people imagine all the mass of material at one time. This overwhelms the mind and shuts it down to the possibility of learning.
The way to progress is not by stopping or going around but, going through. But this is your learning. That means you dictate the speed at which you learn and apply the knowledge. You get to say how much time you spend on each detail, each particular concept. Once you realize this and commit to learning one idea, I think you will find that learning the following ideas and concepts become fun.
People whom like to read can read books and magazines, articles online. Those whom like visual learning can watch video tutorials on YouTube and other services. There is the choice of sitting there with your synthesizer or computer with a VST up in your DAW (look up those terms if you do not know them already) or go through the article or video first then make your break beat on your synth or drum machine. Do what works for you.
Take the time to read the rest of this post below as it gives some recommendations on learning about subtractive synthesis.
What about other effects pedals? If you are going to use external effects pedals, I recommend getting a multi-effects pedal. It will give you the most value for your money and you will grow with it as you learn to apply different effects.
One of the most popular effects pedals among synth users right now is the Zoom MS-70CDR. I have its cousin released earlier, the MS-100BT. Both pedals are multi-effects that can chain together several effects. Think of these like modules you can put together to alter your sound. Take the time to do some research on what each effect does.
There is some crossover between effects pedals and modules of synths. LFO's and tremolo are very similar. Tremolo, at least the way I have seen pedal manufacturers implement it these days, is a repetitive rising and falling in volume. LFO's are often applied to the amplitude of a waveform which produces a similar effect. Change an LFO waveform from a triangle wave to a square wave and you get what is commonly called in effects pedals as a slicer.
No matter which way you start, it helps your music to be learning about what you are using.
So, what about the other side of the coin, the Tweaking Presets, or using samples or MIDI packs? Those have their place too. I do not usually go that route. However, even as I edit this, I am using a new-to-me Roli Songwriters Kit. I do very little editing of the synth and drum sounds as I use these three devices (that make up the Songwriters Kit). I want the experience of making music.
Some people just like the presets and make that work for them. Some people tweak until they get something they like. The point is they get around to making music as opposed to designing sounds and working that way. I suppose the people who work this way might find the designing of sound also drives their creativity down. And that is something nobody really wants in their music creation.
If you have an opinion one way or the other, please leave a comment.
Anyway, the following is pretty close to the answer to the the FB post:
In addition to VCV Rack, I highly suggest reading Sound on Sound's Synth Secrets. Somebody even posted the PDF for it in the Files section of this group. It can also be found on the Sound on Sound website.
While experimenting with Zoia has its advantages, it helps to learn about the modules and effects that you are using. For instance, when you use a square wave or a saw wave, there is the fundamental frequency but there are also harmonic frequencies that you hear as well. Everything other than the fundamental frequency is heard a a lower volume.
What makes this knowledge interesting is the fact that using a something as simple as a filter, say a low pass filter, removes harmonics from the waveform and so can drastically change what you hear if you lower the cutoff frequency. So, use a low pass filter and increase the cutoff frequency and more harmonics are heard. Lower the cutoff and more harmonics are removed.
Why bother with this explanation? Well, if you are using a tuner to tune your device to a specific tone, using the low pass filter can change the tone that you are hearing and what the note is that you hear. TAKE NOTE HERE though, I had to just go check that information to see if that is completely true. I went to my current setup which is using the Korg ARP Odyssei app and a Microfreak into a Boss RC-3 looper and an iLoud micro monitor (the kind that is used with an iRig but I am using the Aux in, no iRig). With the Resonance all the way down, the Cutoff all the way up, one oscillator, no modulation of waveform or any of that stuff, the note tuned to C did not change when I changed the Cutoff like I expected.
However, keep changing things, like the Resonance, turn it up all the way or 90%, now turn down the Cutoff and things start to get interesting and the tuning of that particular key will change. Resonance causes a bump at the Cutoff frequency so that is why it changes the tuning.
In my opinion, that is why it is worth reading articles such as Synth Secrets and learning how to use VCV Rack. But you have to consciously work with the concepts to learn about them. Synth Secrets is also a focused and directional series of articles. You do not have to hunt and find and decide for yourself which ones apply to your current level of knowledge.
One of the great parts of using VCV Rack is that you get to have a visual of the modules you are using. You do not have to start by learning how to put together a rack with 30 modules. They have tutorials on how to learn how to use the basics. Check YouTube. Or if you like, here is a blog post I made on VCV Rack:
http://tinturesoftech.blogspot.com/.../vcv-rack-tutorial...
While experimenting with Zoia has its advantages, it helps to learn about the modules and effects that you are using. For instance, when you use a square wave or a saw wave, there is the fundamental frequency but there are also harmonic frequencies that you hear as well. Everything other than the fundamental frequency is heard a a lower volume.
What makes this knowledge interesting is the fact that using a something as simple as a filter, say a low pass filter, removes harmonics from the waveform and so can drastically change what you hear if you lower the cutoff frequency. So, use a low pass filter and increase the cutoff frequency and more harmonics are heard. Lower the cutoff and more harmonics are removed.
Why bother with this explanation? Well, if you are using a tuner to tune your device to a specific tone, using the low pass filter can change the tone that you are hearing and what the note is that you hear. TAKE NOTE HERE though, I had to just go check that information to see if that is completely true. I went to my current setup which is using the Korg ARP Odyssei app and a Microfreak into a Boss RC-3 looper and an iLoud micro monitor (the kind that is used with an iRig but I am using the Aux in, no iRig). With the Resonance all the way down, the Cutoff all the way up, one oscillator, no modulation of waveform or any of that stuff, the note tuned to C did not change when I changed the Cutoff like I expected.
However, keep changing things, like the Resonance, turn it up all the way or 90%, now turn down the Cutoff and things start to get interesting and the tuning of that particular key will change. Resonance causes a bump at the Cutoff frequency so that is why it changes the tuning.
In my opinion, that is why it is worth reading articles such as Synth Secrets and learning how to use VCV Rack. But you have to consciously work with the concepts to learn about them. Synth Secrets is also a focused and directional series of articles. You do not have to hunt and find and decide for yourself which ones apply to your current level of knowledge.
One of the great parts of using VCV Rack is that you get to have a visual of the modules you are using. You do not have to start by learning how to put together a rack with 30 modules. They have tutorials on how to learn how to use the basics. Check YouTube. Or if you like, here is a blog post I made on VCV Rack:
http://tinturesoftech.blogspot.com/.../vcv-rack-tutorial...
